Jim Vuksic's Blog, page 10
March 1, 2016
The Time to Learn about Writing and Publishing is Before One Writes or Publishes
Some novice authors readily admit that they are only vaguely familiar with the professional writing, publishing, distribution and marketing processes. They often access the discussion groups of literary websites seeking and receiving advice about writing, attaining notoriety and increasing book sales from authors who have not yet established a reputation as an exceptional writer nor attained widespread notoriety or commercial success themselves.
There are books, articles, seminars, lectures and classes, written or conducted by those who have achieved significant success in the literary field. They are available at little or no cost at public libraries, literary events and community colleges, as well as on-line.
The ideal time to learn about and develop advanced technical writing and narrating skills is before attempting to write a book. The ideal time to learn about the publishing, marketing and distribution processes is before seeking publication. That said; it is never too late to learn.
There are books, articles, seminars, lectures and classes, written or conducted by those who have achieved significant success in the literary field. They are available at little or no cost at public libraries, literary events and community colleges, as well as on-line.
The ideal time to learn about and develop advanced technical writing and narrating skills is before attempting to write a book. The ideal time to learn about the publishing, marketing and distribution processes is before seeking publication. That said; it is never too late to learn.
February 22, 2016
I Did It Their Way!
Frank Sinatra's explanation for his phenomenal success and the title of one of his hit songs was "I did it my way!" The explanation for the modicum of success achieved during my lifetime is that I did it their way!
During the four years I attended St. Mark Seminary the authority figures were dedicated, strict and set high standards. As a result I received an excellent education.
The discipline and self confidence instilled in me as a U.S. Marine fifty years ago proved invaluable in achieving success throughout my life.
My father taught me how to play two musical instruments. His insistence upon daily practice provided a skill level that allowed me to play professionally for eight years.
My late wife molded a hard partying, immature guy into a dedicated and loving husband and father. Her way proved much better and more rewarding than my previous lifestyle.
Embracing the H.J. Heinz Company's culture of continuous improvement resulted in five promotions which allowed me to begin a comfortable retirement at the age of 54.
I had to obtain the knowledge and master the skills necessary to succeed, but the real secret to my success is no secret. I did it their way!
During the four years I attended St. Mark Seminary the authority figures were dedicated, strict and set high standards. As a result I received an excellent education.
The discipline and self confidence instilled in me as a U.S. Marine fifty years ago proved invaluable in achieving success throughout my life.
My father taught me how to play two musical instruments. His insistence upon daily practice provided a skill level that allowed me to play professionally for eight years.
My late wife molded a hard partying, immature guy into a dedicated and loving husband and father. Her way proved much better and more rewarding than my previous lifestyle.
Embracing the H.J. Heinz Company's culture of continuous improvement resulted in five promotions which allowed me to begin a comfortable retirement at the age of 54.
I had to obtain the knowledge and master the skills necessary to succeed, but the real secret to my success is no secret. I did it their way!
February 14, 2016
Some Website Discussion Group Participants Behave Like Debating Politicians
During a formal debate, politicians seldom focus upon the topics presented. Each has memorized talking points designed to impress the audience. They are more interested in trying to discredit and denigrate their opponents than addressing the subject.
Some participants in website discussion groups occasionally mimic the behavior of debating politicians. Regardless of the topic, they maneuver the discussion toward a personal agenda. Not content with merely including their opinion among the others posted, they post a diatribe expressing their disdain for any opinion with which they disagree.
Such people are easily identified. They routinely post multiple comments, often several paragraphs long, within the same discussion thread. The tone of their post is often condescending or belligerent as they ridicule opposing opinions and those who posted them. Perhaps they are trying to project an aura of importance and achievement within the cyber world which they were never able to attain in the real world.
The wisest response to boorish behavior is to just ignore it. Refuse to be drawn into an altercation. Time is too precious to squander it debating someone who mistakes self obsession for self confidence and factoids for facts.
Some participants in website discussion groups occasionally mimic the behavior of debating politicians. Regardless of the topic, they maneuver the discussion toward a personal agenda. Not content with merely including their opinion among the others posted, they post a diatribe expressing their disdain for any opinion with which they disagree.
Such people are easily identified. They routinely post multiple comments, often several paragraphs long, within the same discussion thread. The tone of their post is often condescending or belligerent as they ridicule opposing opinions and those who posted them. Perhaps they are trying to project an aura of importance and achievement within the cyber world which they were never able to attain in the real world.
The wisest response to boorish behavior is to just ignore it. Refuse to be drawn into an altercation. Time is too precious to squander it debating someone who mistakes self obsession for self confidence and factoids for facts.
February 6, 2016
A Copy of "Levels" is En-Route to Five "Goodreads" Giveaway Winners
The Goodreads Giveaway for Levels ended at midnight, Friday, February 5. The five winners, randomly chosen by the Goodreads staff, have been notified.
A paperback copy of Levels, personalized and signed by me, the author, has already been mailed to each winner and is scheduled to arrive within 12 to 14 days.
A free download code for the audio book format of Levels is provided on the last page of the paperback book. (8 hours listening time, narrated by Stephen Rozzell.)
I wish to thank the 1,513 Goodreads members who chose to participate in the giveaway and hope that the five winners enjoy reading about the world of Levels as much as I enjoyed creating it.
A paperback copy of Levels, personalized and signed by me, the author, has already been mailed to each winner and is scheduled to arrive within 12 to 14 days.
A free download code for the audio book format of Levels is provided on the last page of the paperback book. (8 hours listening time, narrated by Stephen Rozzell.)
I wish to thank the 1,513 Goodreads members who chose to participate in the giveaway and hope that the five winners enjoy reading about the world of Levels as much as I enjoyed creating it.
January 29, 2016
The Problem with Blind Faith is That It's Blind!
The ability to reason and analyze sets humans apart from all other known living creatures. Logic and common sense allow us to not only observe what is happening, but more importantly, determine why it is happening.
The willingness to set aside the analytical thought process and rely upon faith alone inspired people to support the philosophies and participate in the behavior associated with such activities as the Spanish Inquisition in the 15th. Century, the witch hunts in Salem, Massachusetts in the 17th. Century, Nazism in Germany and Fascism in Italy in the 20th. Century, and today, a brutal Communist dictatorship in North Korea and radical terrorist attacks around the world.
Wanting something to be the truth does not make it true and believing that something is reality does not make it real. Common sense and logic allow one to study, comprehend and then strive to improve upon the world that exists rather than naively adopting and then adhering to an irrational doctrine that promises access to a non-existent alternative.
"It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble. It's what we know that ain't so."
Will Rogers (Humorist) - 1879-1935
The willingness to set aside the analytical thought process and rely upon faith alone inspired people to support the philosophies and participate in the behavior associated with such activities as the Spanish Inquisition in the 15th. Century, the witch hunts in Salem, Massachusetts in the 17th. Century, Nazism in Germany and Fascism in Italy in the 20th. Century, and today, a brutal Communist dictatorship in North Korea and radical terrorist attacks around the world.
Wanting something to be the truth does not make it true and believing that something is reality does not make it real. Common sense and logic allow one to study, comprehend and then strive to improve upon the world that exists rather than naively adopting and then adhering to an irrational doctrine that promises access to a non-existent alternative.
"It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble. It's what we know that ain't so."
Will Rogers (Humorist) - 1879-1935
January 21, 2016
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who is to Blame for it All?
Individuals who seem to fail at any endeavor they attempt always know exactly who or what is to blame. It is everyone and everything but themselves.
They received poor grades in school because the teachers didn't like them, the other students picked on them, the instruction and study time were insufficient and the curriculum was too demanding.
They cannot keep a job because the boss never likes them, the other workers conspired against them, the quality of training was poor and time allotted too brief and the shift schedules were too demanding.
Their marriages all failed because their spouse did not truly love or understand them, they were not given sufficient time to adjust to married life and the demands of supporting and mentoring a spouse and children were too stressful and unrealistic.
Are you beginning to detect a pattern of behavior and attitude?
One is often inclined to accept too much of the credit for succeeding and deflect too much of the blame for failing. Everyone fails occasionally. However, a pattern of constant failure usually indicates that the person doing the failing may lack the capability, ability, self-discipline, determination and/or work ethic required to succeed.
There is a fool-proof method for chronic failures to discover where to place blame. Stare into any mirror and then recite this magical incantation: "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is to blame for it all?" The image of the person responsible will magically appear before their eyes.
They received poor grades in school because the teachers didn't like them, the other students picked on them, the instruction and study time were insufficient and the curriculum was too demanding.
They cannot keep a job because the boss never likes them, the other workers conspired against them, the quality of training was poor and time allotted too brief and the shift schedules were too demanding.
Their marriages all failed because their spouse did not truly love or understand them, they were not given sufficient time to adjust to married life and the demands of supporting and mentoring a spouse and children were too stressful and unrealistic.
Are you beginning to detect a pattern of behavior and attitude?
One is often inclined to accept too much of the credit for succeeding and deflect too much of the blame for failing. Everyone fails occasionally. However, a pattern of constant failure usually indicates that the person doing the failing may lack the capability, ability, self-discipline, determination and/or work ethic required to succeed.
There is a fool-proof method for chronic failures to discover where to place blame. Stare into any mirror and then recite this magical incantation: "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is to blame for it all?" The image of the person responsible will magically appear before their eyes.
January 13, 2016
The Author's Guide to Attaining Permanent Amateur Status - Results Guaranteed!
The Author's Guide to Attaining Permanent Amateur Status
Don't waste time mastering technical writing skills and narration techniques or procuring professional editing services. Instead, write and publish book after book as quickly as possible.
Spam! Spam! Spam! Mention that you are an author and promote your books in every thread of every discussion group of every literary website, regardless of its purpose or subject being discussed.
Don't bother proofreading and correcting errors in comments prior to posting them in a discussion or self-promotion thread. Who cares?
Aggressively solicit and swap reviews. Offer free books or money for them. Tout every positive review and decry every negative review your book receives. Personally post a 5-Star rating and gushing review for each book you yourself have authored and published.
If your book isn't selling, give it away. The fact that most of the recipients won't actually read it doesn't matter; you can still boast of the number of times your book has been downloaded.
Summary: While reading books and articles or attending a seminar, lecture or class pertaining to writing and literary marketing, learn which things one should not do, and then do them!
Don't waste time mastering technical writing skills and narration techniques or procuring professional editing services. Instead, write and publish book after book as quickly as possible.
Spam! Spam! Spam! Mention that you are an author and promote your books in every thread of every discussion group of every literary website, regardless of its purpose or subject being discussed.
Don't bother proofreading and correcting errors in comments prior to posting them in a discussion or self-promotion thread. Who cares?
Aggressively solicit and swap reviews. Offer free books or money for them. Tout every positive review and decry every negative review your book receives. Personally post a 5-Star rating and gushing review for each book you yourself have authored and published.
If your book isn't selling, give it away. The fact that most of the recipients won't actually read it doesn't matter; you can still boast of the number of times your book has been downloaded.
Summary: While reading books and articles or attending a seminar, lecture or class pertaining to writing and literary marketing, learn which things one should not do, and then do them!
January 5, 2016
More than Six Decades of Happy and Some Not So Happy New Years
The very first New Year's Day, celebrated during my existence, occurred in 1948 when I was only five-months-old. Each subsequent year has included mostly uneventful times, some noteworthy occurrences, happy times and some that were sad. This most recent New Year's Day was my sixty eighth.
Many accept their lot in life as being inevitable and uncontrollable. Life is what you make of it. Enjoy and be grateful for each happy moment. Struggle through and bear the sad times, always remembering that, though some may enjoy a better life than you, others are far worse off. Be grateful for each uneventful, mediocre day. Appreciate the mere fact that you are alive to witness and be a part of it and, though nothing especially wonderful is happening, nothing extremely terrible is happening either.
Now in the twilight years of my existence, I appreciate more than ever the fact that I have had the privilege to experience existence and everything associated with it - good times and bad, happy moments and sad, wonderful and terrible events, along with a multitude of uneventful days in between.
May 2016 prove to be one of the best years ever for you and those close to you. Enjoy and celebrate life with whomever, whenever and however you can while you can.
Many accept their lot in life as being inevitable and uncontrollable. Life is what you make of it. Enjoy and be grateful for each happy moment. Struggle through and bear the sad times, always remembering that, though some may enjoy a better life than you, others are far worse off. Be grateful for each uneventful, mediocre day. Appreciate the mere fact that you are alive to witness and be a part of it and, though nothing especially wonderful is happening, nothing extremely terrible is happening either.
Now in the twilight years of my existence, I appreciate more than ever the fact that I have had the privilege to experience existence and everything associated with it - good times and bad, happy moments and sad, wonderful and terrible events, along with a multitude of uneventful days in between.
May 2016 prove to be one of the best years ever for you and those close to you. Enjoy and celebrate life with whomever, whenever and however you can while you can.
December 29, 2015
An Invitation to Enter a "Goodreads Giveaway"
Residents of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand are cordially invited to enter a
Goodreads Giveaway
to possibly win one of five paperback copies (376 pages) of the novel Levels, personalized and signed by me, the author. Entries will be accepted beginning at midnight, Tuesday, January 5 until midnight, Friday, February 5. Five winners will then be randomly chosen by the Goodreads staff.
Bonus!
A download code for the audio book format of Levels is provided on the last page of each paperback book. (8 hours listening time, narrated by Stephen Rozzell.)
Imagine a world without war, crime, poverty, hunger, inequality, prejudice, bigotry, envy or greed. Everyone, without exception, has access to the exact same quantity and quality of food, clothing, housing, medical care, formal education and social advancement opportunities. Being different is not merely tolerated, but is considered admirable.
Now imagine that, in this world, the words father, mother, daughter, son, brother, sister, spouse, family, marriage, government and religion do not exist, because the concepts themselves do not exist. The inhabitants are occasionally transported to a place they never knew existed or required to do something without having the slightest idea of what they are doing or why it must be done.
Can you imagine such a world? Well, I did. If you decide to enter this giveaway and win, I hope that you enjoy reading about the world of Levels as much as I enjoyed creating it.
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
Jim Vuksic - Author
Bonus!
A download code for the audio book format of Levels is provided on the last page of each paperback book. (8 hours listening time, narrated by Stephen Rozzell.)
Imagine a world without war, crime, poverty, hunger, inequality, prejudice, bigotry, envy or greed. Everyone, without exception, has access to the exact same quantity and quality of food, clothing, housing, medical care, formal education and social advancement opportunities. Being different is not merely tolerated, but is considered admirable.
Now imagine that, in this world, the words father, mother, daughter, son, brother, sister, spouse, family, marriage, government and religion do not exist, because the concepts themselves do not exist. The inhabitants are occasionally transported to a place they never knew existed or required to do something without having the slightest idea of what they are doing or why it must be done.
Can you imagine such a world? Well, I did. If you decide to enter this giveaway and win, I hope that you enjoy reading about the world of Levels as much as I enjoyed creating it.
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
Jim Vuksic - Author
December 22, 2015
A Few Words Often Mean a Lot
Whenever depressed, sad, injured or ill, some special person in my life at the time knew just what to say to make me feel better. I'll bet you can say the same.
My parents
As a child, when I bruised or scraped a non-vital part of my anatomy, Mom and Dad possessed the magic incantation that would immediately ease the pain and make the tears evaporate: "Boo-boos always look worse than they are. So we'll just clean them, kiss them and make them all better!"
My late wife
On those occasions when stress over my job and family obligations was obviously beginning to overwhelm me, Elaine would hug and kiss me, then say: "You'll figure it out and solve all those problems; you always do. Want to go upstairs?"
My children
My four kids are technically no longer children. The youngest is 35 and the oldest 45. They are independent, have good jobs, and two now have children of their own. Sometimes I feel that I have served my purpose in life and may no longer be needed. That feeling quickly dissipates when one of my children comes to me with a problem or concern and asks my advice. Not only do they ask, most of the time they actually heed it. They will say: "Thanks Dad, I knew you would have the answer; you always do."
Whichever you have already celebrated or plan to celebrate - Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa - may it prove to be truly memorable for you and your loved ones. Happy holidays!
Jim Vuksic
My parents
As a child, when I bruised or scraped a non-vital part of my anatomy, Mom and Dad possessed the magic incantation that would immediately ease the pain and make the tears evaporate: "Boo-boos always look worse than they are. So we'll just clean them, kiss them and make them all better!"
My late wife
On those occasions when stress over my job and family obligations was obviously beginning to overwhelm me, Elaine would hug and kiss me, then say: "You'll figure it out and solve all those problems; you always do. Want to go upstairs?"
My children
My four kids are technically no longer children. The youngest is 35 and the oldest 45. They are independent, have good jobs, and two now have children of their own. Sometimes I feel that I have served my purpose in life and may no longer be needed. That feeling quickly dissipates when one of my children comes to me with a problem or concern and asks my advice. Not only do they ask, most of the time they actually heed it. They will say: "Thanks Dad, I knew you would have the answer; you always do."
Whichever you have already celebrated or plan to celebrate - Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa - may it prove to be truly memorable for you and your loved ones. Happy holidays!
Jim Vuksic
